Igawa, LaTroy DFA; Gardner to AAA

Just a quick update before we get to the game. According to Ed Price, the Yankees have removed Kei Igawa from the 40-man roster. He passed through waivers unclaimed. To make room on the 25-man roster for Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady, the Yankees have optioned Brett Gardner to AAA, and have DFA LaTroy Hawkins, according to WFAN. Oh, happy day!

According to Buster Olney, the Yanks are still working on a deal for Jarrod Washburn, which would be a salary dump move.

We don’t have the full lineups yet, but Nady is in the lineup, playing left field and batting 7th. You have to assume it’s the lineup as usual through five, Cano hitting sixth, and then Cabrera 8th and Molina 9th.

The Yankees continue to talk about Jarrod Washburn and they are likely to complete the deal in the next 48 hours. New York is willing to take Washburn and a lot of the $13 million-$14 million owed to the left-hander, but the deal would essentially be a salary dump, with the Mariners expected to make some sort of financial adjustment.

Maybe this is where Coke is headed?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph P.

Nah. I just caught that in the ESPN Trade Deadline blog. I would assume it would be someone crappier than Coke if this is a salary dump. I’d do it for Kontos, though.

MD

I’ve never seen him pitch, but Coke’s numbers seem to have gotten a lot better over the past year-plus…..some lefties mature later…..maybe he becomes something like a Jimmy Key type?

CJ

Thank heavens. Bye bye, LaTroy. It’s been real, but you were the dead weight and now the ‘pen is loaded (provided Farnsworth, Edwar, and a few others don’t wake up and remember they’re not this good).

Jersey

I’m guessing this discussion has been revisited previously here, but – why Washburn? Is he such an improvement over Rasner and/or Ponson?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph P.

I think he is. Proven track record of mediocrity. Has pitched well lately. Throws with his left arm. Performs well against the Yankees (hey, it worked with David Wells).

Jersey

Hrm. I suppose when you’re talking 4th/5th starter, the improvements are at the margins. I was also pleasantly surprised to see his summer splits, although some of those opponents provide something of an asterisk.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Washburn is surefire mediocrity. Those other guys are mediocrity with a chance for implosion at any time. Washburn brings a little bit more certainty to the mound.

DP

How could he not be? He barely ever gets rocked. Hes like a Lieber/Lidle type. 6 innings, 3-4 runs, keeps you in the game.

http://allfourbases.blogspot.com/ Ryan

that works out for Nady.. LaTroy was #22.. His picture on MLB.com is already of him in a yankees hat

These moves were to be expected, though I’m glad to see its Gardner going back down to AAA over Christian. Gardner isn’t ready for the majors just yet and would benefit more from the regular playing time moreso than Justin Christian.

http://Taximan6582.tripod.com Johnny K

Christian is no great shakes over Gardner. Gardner stole 5 bases in his first NINE games. Christian on the other hand FELL DOWN not once but TWICE trying to steal a base. One of those times he was pinch running for Giambi… Good call there, Joe.